Twisted Wonderland | Mickey's Print

31. End Of Savanaclaw

"Case closed," Yuu sighed before remembering something with those words and approaching Crowley. "Headmaster, you didn't forget something, right?"

Crowley looked at him doubtfully and tilted his head. "What do you mean?" He asked.

Catching up on the conversation, Grim jumped excitedly to get his attention. "Hey, that's right, headmaster! We discovered the culprit, just as you asked us to! That means you're going to let us play in the tournament like promised, right!?" He asked with a sly smile.

With a similar reaction to when Yuu asked if he had found a way to return home, Crowley was startled and looked away nervously. "What!? Ah, ah, aaaaaaaaaah... It's true that I promised you that..." He stammered as if he had just remembered the deal they had. "We have just announced the start of the tournament, so that is going to be impossible now," He admitted quickly. "Now what could we do about this?"

Grim felt both his heart and his excitement for the long-awaited day shatter like glass. "WHAAAAAAT!? You're evil! YOU SCAMMER!!" He yelled in horror before frowning at him. "I'm gonna set that lying ass of yours on fire! Fgnaaa...!"

Yuu was not happy about losing his place in the tournament either, but waved his arms in alarm and grabbed Grim before he could spit fire at the headmaster himself.

"No, wait, wait! Cease your fire, I'm thinking of an idea to solve this," The headmaster said to stop him. "Hmmm... Oh! I know! How about playing in an exhibition match?" Grim and Yuu looked at him curiously. "It will be like an opening act before the main event. You will surely stand out!"

"Really!?" Grim asked with interest.

"Yes, of course," Crowley nodded, convinced.

"I think it's fine as long as I can show off to the world!" Grim exclaimed, convinced, before reaching for a paw victoriously. "Cool! When they see how great I am on TV, a lotta people will definitely want to scout me!"

Yuu was fine with it too, but he knew there was still something important left and set Grim down carefully. "Don't we need 7 members to make a team?" He asked.

"Oh, you're right," Crowley said thoughtfully. "We still have that, and we don't have a rival team for you to play against either, maybe the school staff will be available..."

"Fffgna!? You forgot about that too!?" Grim asked, stupefied.

Yuu was going to say something about it, but he was cut off after Ace and Deuce had the same idea and exchanged a scheming look.

"We've heard it all," Ace said.

"If you need extra players, we'll take those spots," Deuce added determinedly.

Riddle's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you saying? You are in Heartslabyul's team, right?"

"There are no rules that say you can't join another dorm's team," Ace answered.

"Ha ha! I've never thought about it before, but you're right," Trey laughed happily.

"That sounds interesting! I want to join Yuu's team too~!" Cater said in a singsong voice.

"Cater, remember that you are one of our regular players!" Riddle exclaimed earnestly.

"Phooey," Cater complained, not exactly disappointed.

"I'd be bored if we just cheered on our teammates from the stands, so I'll do anything to get involved," Ace said.

"I... I'm not like him!" Deuce stammered nervously. "I really want to help my good friends!"

"I'm sure you do," Yuu replied with a sigh.

Before anyone could say anything else, the Savanaclaw trio approached. "If you need an opponent, Savanaclaw volunteers," Jack said with a mild smile.